Featured The righteousness of God

Metonymy is a figure of speech where something is not called by its own name or description, but by something closely related. For example, the White house for a Presidential administration, or Hollywood for the film industry.

It is possible that the "righteousness of God" does not actually refer to God's perfection, His own righteousness, but rather is used metonymically for God's redemptive work through Christ.

Thus to be seeking the righteousness of God through (by means of) faith in Christ actually refers to seeking redemption in Christ where we are made perfect, holy and blameless, thus having the righteousness (perfection) of God.

Lets see if this possibility works for the verses that use the phrase.

Romans 1:17, For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”

The "it" at the beginning of the verse refers to the gospel of Christ. Faith to faith is understood in various ways, but the simplest idea is from beginning to end, thus God's revelation is from beginning to end about redemption in Christ Jesus. Thus, God's redemptive work by means of Christ is revealed in the gospel, from beginning to end.

Romans 3:5, "But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.)"

The Greek word translated "demonstrates" means highlights, makes more clear or in other words demonstrates the need for the redemptive work of God through Christ.

Romans 3:21, But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

Here we see that the redemptive work of God through Christ is apart from the work of the Law which brings knowledge of our sin. And this redemptive work is witnessed in the Old Testament scriptures.

Romans 3:22, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

This verse strongly suggests that the righteousness of God is being used metonymically for God's redemptive work through faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:3, For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

Here we see the lost have the opportunity to subject themselves to the redemptive work of God by means of putting their faith in Christ Jesus. The cause of the failure in this case is ignorance of the gospel, rather than a lack of spiritual ability.

2 Corinthians 5:21, He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Lets sidestep the mistaken view that Jesus became sin, rather on the cross the Lamb of God became a sin offering. What is key to the topic is that we obtain the righteousness of God when God puts us "in Him" where we are made perfect, holy and blameless, i.e. made righteous.

 

Because this phrase is ambiguous, and translators do not see it as a metonymy for the redemptive work of God through Christ, we get all sorts of interesting variations on the theme.

If we consider James 1:19-20 we find:

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Here we see the NIV translators interpreting the phrase to mean walking according to God's will. Taken in isolation, looking at this verse alone, that might be a possible interpretation, but if we look at all of them together, clearly other views are better, i.e. more apt to be accurate.

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Here we have the ESV translators interpreting our phrase as meaning something other than anger may produce the righteousness of God. I think most of us pretty much agree, we do not produce the righteousness of God in ourselves by staying cool.

19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Well the NASB at least indicates the anger of man will not be achieve the righteousness of God, whether from God or from ourselves

The HCSB has "does not accomplish God's righteousness." James uses this same word (translated produce, achieve, accomplish) in James 1:3, but in that verse all these translators render it produces.

Bottom line, being angry with those witnessing, if you are lost, hinders the redemptive work of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Therefore put aside all filthiness and receive with humility the word of God implanted in you which is able to save your souls. Putting aside filthiness sounds like repentance, and receiving with humility the gospel of Christ sounds like believing.

 

Thanks for your views, but like you, I could not ride your wagon, either.

You indicated you did not think James 1:20 used "the righteousness of God" as a metonymy for God's redemptive work in Christ.

First, James is not addressing "believers" as brethren, but fellow Israelites. See James 1:1. But as you noted, they have professed faith in Christ. So James is saying "test yourselves" are you lip service professors, or do you actually walk the talk.

So the issue of James 1:19-20 is whether a professing believer, walks the talk. This is not works to achieve salvation, this is evidence of salvation.

To construe "save your soul" to refer to walking the talk is, for me, a bridge too far.

 

I will ignore your first sentence, and embrace of second sentence.

 

Your first sentence said the opposite of your second sentence.

 

Your view is noted.

 

You are wasting my time, Sir. You cannot be that obtuse.

 

Yet another you, you, you post in a pathetic effort to change the subject, Not to put too fine a point on it, but the righteousness of God is not indicated by being slandering gospel witnesses.

 

You, you you on display. This is all they have, folks, absurdity followed in personal attacks. Got it?